Foldable carton and blank with integral corner structural support



Nov. 4, 1969 N. J. ASMAN 3,476,305

FOLDABLE CARTON AND BLANK WITH INTEGRAL CORNER STRUCTURAL SUPPORT Filed Feb. 26, 1968 2 SheetsSheet 1 as I: g 7 Q i1 a 30 Y {L 12; MENTOR LL h I) I h J ATTORNEY Nov. 4, 1969 s N 3,476,305

FOLDABLE CARTON AND BLANK WITH INTEGRAL CORNER STRUCTURAL SUPPORT Filed Feb. 26, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 76 INVENTOR 8O NormanJAsman 72 '7 74 Q i:

, 1 E im ATTORNEY United States Patent FOLDABLE CARTON AND BLANK WITH INTEGRAL CORNER STRUCTURAL SUPPORT Norman John Asman, Appleton, Wis., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 26, 1968, Ser. No. 708,282 Int. Cl. B65d /24 US. Cl. 22931 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A carton blank having bottom and side panels and having a web corner comprising in one embodiment three and in the other embodiment five essentially triangular panels hingedly connected to one another and to adjacent side panels. A carton is constructed from the blank by folding the corner panels into an integral structural support having one portion designed to rest on the cartons bottom panel while permitting the abutment of adjacent side edges of adjacent side panels to form an attractive reinforced butt corner joint.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to foldable carton blanks and to cartons erected from such blanks. In particular, the invention pertains to an improved carton having an attractive, one-piece continuous and reinforced corner construction, and to a carton blank from which such a carton can be erected.

Cartons having bottom and side panels variously formed of one uncut piece of material are well known, the corners being constructed with a plurality of triangular panels folded in a variety of ways. See, for instance, US. Patents 3,116,866 Boran; 1,271,033 Hall; 3,316,102 Doll et al.; 2,643,812 and 2,386,062 Roehrl. None of the carton corners illustrated in those patents are provided with integral reinforcing structural supports which help to transfer a portion of a load or strain placed on the cartons sides and corners to the cartons bottom. It is highly desirable to produce such a one-piece essentially uncut carton blank which can be simply folded into an attractive carton having corners reinforced by integral structural supports.

BRIEF SUMMARY 'OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention the deficiencies of the aforementioned patents are overcome by providing a novel foldable carton blank, and by producing a novel carton from such a blank. In particular a carton blank is provided having a web corner comprising in one embodiment three, and in another embodiment five, essentially triangular panels hingedly connected to one another and to adjacent side panels. A carton is constructed from the carton blank by folding the corner panels into an integral structural support having a base corner panel portion designed to rest on the cartons bottom panel while the other corner panels contribute to supporting and to linking the cartons side panels to the base corner panel portion. The corner is designed to permit edge-to-edge abutment of adjacent sides of adjacent side panels to form an attractive reinforced butt corner joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference is now made to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the carton of this invention;

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FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view in side elevation, drawn to an enlarged scale, taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carton blank of FIG. 1 shown partially erected into a carton corner;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the carton corner of FIG. 3 prior to its erection;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the carton blank of FIG. 1 prior to its erection;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the carton of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view in side elevation, drawn to an enlarged scale, taken along line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the carton blank of FIG. 6 shown partially erected into a carton corner;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the carton corner of FIG. 8 prior to its erection; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the carton blank of FIG. 6 prior to its erection.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a carton indicated generally at 10 is shown having a bottom panel 12. Hingedly connected to bottom panel 12 are side panels 14, 16, 18 and 20, shown as trapezoidal in shape. Side edges 22 of adja cent side panels abut one another. Bridge panels 24 link adjacent side edges 22 of adjacent side panels. Wall panels 26, 28, 30 and 32 (the latter two shown by dotted lines in FIG. 1) are hingedly secured to the side panels.

FIG. 2, a cross sectional view of carton 10 taken along line 22 of FIG. 1, shows the relative elevations of the various parts of the erected carton.

FIG. 3 shows in perspective a partially erected corner of carton 10. Bridge panel 24 is seen to be composed of three adjacent hingedly connected panel portions. The first is base panel portion 34 which is hingedly connected along fold lines 36 to secondary panel portions 38 and 40. The latter are, in turn, hingedly connected to their adjacent side panels 18 and 20 along side edges 22. Edges 22 and 36 all intersect one another at a corner 42 of bottom panel 12 (see FIG. 4).

In the final assembly of carton 10 base panel portion 34 is brought into face-to-face contact with a portion of bottom panel 12. This causes side edges 22 of adjacent side panels to be brought into abutting relationship. Secondary panel portions 38 and 40 provide support for the side panels while helping to hold side panel side edges 22 in abutting relationship.

FIG. 4 shows a corner portion of a carton blank 44 of this invention from which the corner assembly of FIG. 3 was partially erected. The outside edges 46 of secondary panel portions 38 and 40 have been shaped so as not to protrude into the opening of the assembled carton and so as not to interfere with the down folding of wall panels 26, 28, 30 and 32.

The angles made by the edges of all of the panels and panel portions which intersect corner '42 are designated in FIG. 4 as angles A, B, C, D, E and F. In order to produce a carton with the proper corner, that is a corner which permits the abutment of adjacent edges 22 of adjacent side panels, it is necessary that angle B be substantially equal to angle F and likewise that angle C be substantially equal to angle E.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of an entire carton blank 44.

In one working embodiment of the present invention a carton was constructed which was similar in appearance to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The carton was erected from a carton blank similar in appearance to that shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. In particular, bottom panel 12 was made rectangular and side panels 14, 16, 18 and 20 trapezoidal in shape. The corner angles were as follows, A; degrees; B, 60 degrees; C: 50 degrees; D: 50 degrees; E: 50 degrees; and F: 60 degrees. Upon erection an attractive carton was formed having strong corners. Side edges 22 of adjacent side panels were in abutting relationship and base panel portions 34 were in face-toface contact with bottom panel 12.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the carton of this invention. A carton 50 is shown having a bottom panel 52. I-Iingedly connected to bottom panel 52 are side panels 54, 56, 58 and 60, shown as trapezoidal in shape. Side edges 62 of adjacent side panels abut one another. Bridge panels 64 link adjacent side edges 62 of adjacent side panels.

FIG. 7 a cross sectional view of the carton 50 taken along line 77 of FIG. 6, shows the relative elevations of the various parts of the erected carton.

FIG. 8 shows in perspective a partially erected corner of carton 50. Bridge panel 64 is seen to be composed of five adjacent hingedly connected panel portions. A base panel portion 66 is hingedly connected along fold lines 68 to secondary panel portions 70 and 72 which are in turn hingedly connected to column panel portions 74 and 76 along fold lines 78. Column panel portions 74 and 76 are hingedly connected to their adjacent side panels 54 and 56 along side edges 62. Edges 62, 68 and 78 all intersect one another at a corner 80 of bottom panel 52 (see FIG. 9).

In the final assembly of carton 50 base panel portion 66 is brought into face-to-face contact with bottom panel 52. Secondary panel portions 70 and 72 are folded over, and into face-to-face contact with, base panel 66. This brings column panel portions 74 and 76 into faceto-face contact with each other and causes adjacent side panels to come into abutting relationship along their adjacent side edges 62. Thus secondary panel portions 70 and 72 position column panel portions 74 and 76 which in turn provide column-like support for the cartons side panels while helping to hold one panel side edges 62 in abutting relationship.

FIG. 9 shows a corner portion of a carton blank 82 of this invention from which the corner assembly of FIG, 8 was partially erected. The angles made by the edges of all of the panels and panel portions which intersect corner 80 are designated as angles G, H, K, M, N, P, R and S. In order to produce a carton with a proper corner, that is a corner which permits the abutment of adjacent edges 62 of adjacent side panels while providing a column-like corner support, it is necessary that angle H be substantially equal to angle S, that angle K be substantially equal to angle R, and that both angles M and P be substantially equal to one-half of the size of angle N.

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of an entire carton blank 82.

In a working embodiment of the present invention, a carton was constructed which was similar in appearance to that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The carton was erected from a carton blank similar in appearance to that shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. In particular, bottom panel 52 was made rectangular and side panels 54, 56, 58 and 60 trapezoidal in shape. The corner angles were as follows: G: 90 degrees; H: 60 degrees; K: 45 degrees; M: degrees; N: 30 degrees; P: 15 degrees; R: 45 degrees, and S: 60 degrees. Upon erection an attractive carton was formed having strong corners. Side edges 62 of adjacent side panels were in abutting relationship. Bridge panel 64 was formed into a column-like support having its base panel portion 66 in face-to-face contact with bottom panel 52.

. -Many variations of the above illustrated and described cartons and cartons blanks are possible without departing from the inventions disclosed herein. In particular, the shape of the bottom and side panels can be varied as desired. The sizes of angles A, B, C, D, E and F and angles G, H, K, M, N, P, R and S may be varied so long as the following angles are kept substantially equal to each other: B to F; C to E; H to S; K to R, and M to P to one-half N. The shape of the outside perimeter of bridge panels 24 and 64 may be varied as desired. The carton and blank may be provided with additional panels such as, for instance, closing panels hingedly secured to each side panel. By proper selection of the angles A, B, C, etc. (FIG. 4) or of the angles G, H, K, etc. (FIG. 9) the angle W (FIG. 2) or similarly the angle Z (FIG. 7) between the bottom panel and a side panel can be made to vary from slightly more than zero degrees to roughly about 70 degrees.

' In assembling a carton adhesive material may be used to secure various panels or panel portions to one another.

The carton and blank can be constructed from any desirable material such as paper, paperboard, metal or plastic foil, laminates, etc.

What is claimed is:

1. A blank for forming a carton comprising a bottom panel having two side edges which form a corner, a pair of side panels hingedly connected to said bottom panel adjacent said corner, each side panel having a side edge which forms an acute side panel angle with the side edge of the bottom panel and which side edge of the side panel intersects the corner of the bottom panel so that when the side panels are erected the side edges of adjacent side panels will abut each other and the side panels will form an acute angle with respect to the bottom panel, and a bridge panel hingedly connecting the side edges of adjacent side panels, the bridge panel comprising a base panel adapted to be folded in face-to-face contact with the bottom panel, the base panel having side edge portions which intersect a respective corner of the bottom panel, and the bridge panel further comprising secondary panel means interconnecting said base panel with said side edges of the side panels to support the side panels when the blank is erected.

2. A blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said secondary panel means comprises a first panel hingedly interconnecting one edge of said base panel with one of said pair of side panels and a second panel hingedly interconnecting a second edge of said base panel with the second of said pair of side panels forming a corner in the erected carton.

3. A blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said secondary panel means comprises a first pair of panels hingedly interconnecting one edge of said base panel with one of said pair of side panels and a second pair of panels hingedly interconnecting a second edge of said base panel with the second of said pair of side panels forming a corner in the erected carton.

4. A blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said secondary panel means each have two linear side edges intersecting at said corner, the angles defined betwen said side edges of each said secondary portion being substantially equal to one another.

5. A blank as defined in claim 4 wherein additional panels are secured to each of said side panels.

6. A blank as defined in claim 4 wherein said bottom panel is rectangular and said side panels are trapezoidal.

7. A blank as defined in claim 6 wherein said base panel has two linear side edges intersecting at said corner, the angle defined between said side edges of said base panel being substantially equal to twice the angle defined between the side edges of each secondary panel means.

8. A carton comprising a bottom panel having a plurality of corners defined by the intersection of adjacent edges of the bottom panel, a side panel connected to each edge of the bottom panel with each side panel having an inclined side edge in edge to edge abutting relationship with the inclined edge of an adjacent side panel, the side panels being inclined so to form an acute angle with respect to the bottom panel, a bridge panel hingedly connecting the inclined edges of adjacent side panels,

the bridge panel comprising a base panel lying in faceto-face contact with the bottom panel, the base panel having side edge portions which intersect a respective corner of the bottom panel and the bridge panel further comprising a secondary panel means interconnecting the side edge portions of the base panel with the inclined edges of the side panels so to support the erected side panels.

9. A carton as defined in claim 8 wherein said secondary panel means lie in intersecting vertical planes.

10. A carton as defined in claim 8 wherein said secondary panel means includes abutting panels providing vertical column-like support for said abutting side panels.

11. A carton as defined in claim 10 wherein said secondary panel means further includes horizontally disposed panels lying in face-to-face contacting relationship with said base panel and hingedly connected thereto.

12. A carton as defined in claim 8 wherein said secondary panel means each have two linear side edges intersecting at said corner, the angles defined between said side edges of each said secondary portion being substantially equal to one another.

13. A carton as defined in claim 12 wherein each side panel angle defined between said side panel side edge and said hinged connection of said side panel to said bottom panel is substantially equal to all other such side panel angles.

14. A carton as defined in claim 13 wherein additional panels are secured to each of said side panels.

15. A carton as defined in claim 13 wherein said bottom panel is rectangular and wherein said side panels are trapezoidal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 170,991 12/1875 Conover 22931 501,248 7/ 1893 Hillson 229-31 927,5 3 7 7/ 1909 Hothersall 2293 1' 641,722 1/ 1900 McCandless 22931 FOREIGN PATENTS 22 6,23 3 7/ 1943 Switzerland.

DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 229-32 

